susceptibility
noun
sus·cep·ti·bil·i·ty
sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural susceptibilities
1
: the quality or state of being susceptible
especially
: lack of ability to resist some extraneous agent (such as a pathogen or drug) : sensitivity
2
a
: a susceptible temperament or constitution
b
3
a
: the ratio of the magnetization in a substance to the corresponding magnetizing force
b
: the ratio of the electric polarization to the electric intensity in a polarized dielectric
Examples of susceptibility in a Sentence
A weak immune system causes increased susceptibility to disease.
his aunt's unfortunate susceptibility to viruses meant she was nearly always sick
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump opposes the use of universal mail-in balloting because of its susceptibility to fraud, including ballot harvesting and non-citizens voting.
—
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Dimond singled out the secrecy of guardianship and conservatorship systems as central to their susceptibility to fraud and abuse.
—Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026
Other issues include susceptibility to diseases and pests, weed invasion, uneven growth among plant species, and potential nutrient deficiencies over time.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026
All of them have the same susceptibility to certain pests.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for susceptibility
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Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Dimond singled out the secrecy of guardianship and conservatorship systems as central to their susceptibility to fraud and abuse.
—Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026
Other issues include susceptibility to diseases and pests, weed invasion, uneven growth among plant species, and potential nutrient deficiencies over time.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026
All of them have the same susceptibility to certain pests.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for susceptibility
Cite this Entry
“Susceptibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/susceptibility. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
susceptibility
noun
sus·cep·ti·bil·i·ty
sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural susceptibilities
1
: the quality or state of being susceptible
especially
: lack of ability to resist some outside agent (as a disease-causing germ or drug)
2
a
: a susceptible disposition or nature
b
plural
: one's emotional state : feelings
Medical Definition
susceptibility
noun
sus·cep·ti·bil·i·ty
sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural susceptibilities
1
: the quality or state of being susceptible : the state of being predisposed to, sensitive to, or of lacking the ability to resist something (as a pathogen, familial disease, or a drug) : sensitivity
2
a
: the ratio of the magnetization in a substance to the corresponding magnetizing force see paramagnetic
b
: the ratio of the electric polarization to the electric intensity in a polarized dielectric
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